Appointment would likely lead to differing reactions at home and abroad

Alexandre Vinokourov’s political and sporting links in Kazakhstan have long been known, with the pro being tipped to take over as team manager of the Astana squad when he finally calls a halt to his career.

However according to the website Time.kz, another position might be awaiting the former Paris-Nice and Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner, namely the head of his national cycling federation.

Current Kazakh Cycling Federation president Kairat Kelimbetov told the website that he will leave the position in the next election, which is due to be held in November. He has said that state officials cannot fill the post and has instead suggested that Vinokourov might be the person to take over.

“It would be a new challenge in his career,” he said. Vinokourov’s response is not known.

A previous president of the federation was Daniyal Akhmetov, who helped set up the Astana team around Vinokourov in 2006. He was also Kazakhstan’s prime minister from June 13th 2003 to January 9th 2007, showing the crossover between politics and sport in the country.

Vinokourov is an idolised figure in Kazkahstan. If he did indeed take up the position, the appointment could well find favour at home but could lead to a different reaction abroad due to his positive test in 2007, for which he served a two year ban.

He had initially said that he would retire after his bad crash during this year’s Tour de France. However he has since indicated that he will continue until next season, with the Olympics one possible target.